Gloria Seaming Tutorial

In the Gloria Headband, Cloche, and Handwarmers we seamed the band together in a particular way. This particular way gives Gloria its distinctive shape.

 Did you read the seaming instructions but would also like to see some pictures to make it more clear? Never fear! We've got pictures for you.

I'll leave you to read the exact seaming instructions on the patterns. But I'll give you some pictures and a quick walkthough which should simplify the process.

FYI - Both the handwarmers and the headband are constructed in the same way. The band is worked first then (if you're working the cloche or the handwarmers) stitches are picked up on one side. Obviously the lengths (and therefore the number of rows) of the bands from the handwarmers and headband/cloche are different but the seaming instructions are the same for both.

Tutorial time!

Once you have finished the band, pin it together with your removable stitch markers.

Start seaming. Start where the top of the band is overlapped. Insert your tapestry needle underneath the edges stitches.

Work your way from the area where the edges of the band first meet down to the corner of the edge that is on top.

Seam to the opening between the two bottom corners.

Once you've seamed the outside, now turn the band inside out and seam the inside.You will seam the inside of the areas just seamed on the outside. Continue with the yarn you used to seam the outside. Insert your needle underneath a stitch from one side of the band and a stitch from the other side of the band.

Continue seaming until you have reached the corner where you originally started on the outside.

Work one bottom corner at a time, use the tail and tack only the top corner of the edge to the center of the band.

To pick up stitches, start at the corner where you started seaming and insert your needle underneath both legs of the slipped stitch on the edge. Here is a good video on picking up and knitting.

Ta dah! You're done!

We would love to see your finished Glorias. Please send us a pic at quirkybirdknits@gmail.com or, if you don't mind, post them on Ravelry.

See you soon!

G-L-O-R-I-A

New design coming verrrrrry soon!

And her name is G. L. O. R. I. A.

This design was inspired by all of the cool Glorias out there. But most especially the Gloria with the most swagger, Gloria Swanson.

We here at Quirky Bird are particularly inspired by vintage fashion and the 20s are a particular favorite. This new design certainly has a 20s flair!

Keep your eyes peeled for this new design that will be released very soon! And meanwhile, here's a teaser.

See you soon!

Fanfare

One of the things that we are incredibly fortunate to be a part of is the Knitters Mercantile Accessory Club. We have designed for both the 2013 and the 2014 clubs and it is a lot of fun! We design pieces for the club that are easy to knit and are straightforward in their design. And we get to hang out with a fabulous group of knitters in the club meetings!

All of the pieces we design for the club are one skein projects. Who doesn't love a one skein project? But we also like to be flexible so in many cases we have also included the option to, with an additional skein, expand the piece into a larger size.

With all of that, I give you Fanfare.

Fanfare was originally designed for the April installment of the Accessory Club. The name comes from the shape of the shawl. It's a trumpet! A looooong trumpet.

We are in love with shawls and we are in love with interesting shawl shapes. One of the things that I particularly love about this is the asymmetry. Short on one end and tall of the other, this shawl can be styled in oh-so-many ways! We love the versatility and beauty of JUL fixtures and we have used a variety of them to give you ideas on how to style Fanfare.

The other delight we have in this shawl is the yarn. We used Lorna's Laces Honor, which is a sumptuous blend of alpaca and silk. Oh. My. Word. It is delicious.

Here on the stats on Fanfare.

Sizes: Small (Large)
Yarn: DK weight in a fiber with drape. We used Lorna's Laces Honor.
Yardage: 275 for the small. 350 for the large.
Needle: US 7 circular, at least 24".
Specific skills: knit, purl, yo, k2tog, wrap and turn short rows.

You can purchase and download Fanfare on Ravelry, on Etsy, or get a printed copy at Knitters Mercantile!

Totasaurus Rex

Rawr! We've got a new pattern for you today - Totasaurus Rex!

Totasaurus Rex is the perfect felted tote for newer knitters. It’s what we teach in the Beginners Felted Tote class at Knitters Mercantile! In that class we teach how to knit in the round, pick up stitches and I-cord bind off.

The pattern calls for 4 balls total of Kraemer Mauch Chunky. Two balls are needed of a main color, and one ball each of two different contrasting colors are needed.

You will also need US #11 32” circular needle, stitch markers, matching sewing thread, and a sewing needle. Optional notions include 4 bag feet, plastic canvas for the bottom of the bag, and fabric to cover it.

The gauge listed on the pattern (12 sts to 4”) is the gauge in stockinette stitch before felting. The bag will obviously shrink because that's what happens with felting. :)

So head on over to Ravelry and get your copy of the Totasaurus Rex pattern!

Quirky Bird at Knitters Connection

As for our day jobs, Andrea and I are employees extraordinaire at Knitters Mercantile.

Knitters Mercantile puts on the annual Knitters Connection. It's a fabulous show that features many great instructors teaching a wide variety of classes. Knitting, crochet, spinning, felting - it's all there! There is also a Knitters Market with loads of great vendors from around the country. The Knitters Market is where Andrea and I will be this weekend. We will be working the Knitters Mercantile booth. And that booth is, where we are SUPER excited to tell you, is where the very first Quirky Bird Knits pattern will be for sale!

Here is our first pattern - A Lady's Mantle.

This wrap features an elegant, open stitch pattern. It is worked in a worsted weight yarn at a loose gauge with large needles so the resulting fabric drapes beautifully.

Also beautiful is the yarn we chose - Yarn Hollow Brocade. This 60/40 blend of Merino and silk has sheen and drape that help create the elegant and luxurious feeling of this wrap.

To top it all off, we chose a dramatic JUL closure. The Spiral Bridge Closure is a metal fixture that contains two JUL pedestal buttons. No buttonholes required!

A Lady's Mantle will only be available at Knitters Connection this weekend. Stop on by the Knitters Mercantile booth in the Knitters Market and pick up a copy of the pattern, the JUL fixture, a skein of this gorgeous yarn for your very own A Lady's Mantle. Be sure to say hi to Andrea and Kathryn!

Psst - a special thanks to Melissa for modeling for us!